Prior to opening Tea & Tomes, the Aldridges spent three months in England and Scotland researching tea and tea shoppes. They visited fine hotel tea rooms, small tea shoppes and quaint country inns to soak up as much of that culture as possible. What they brought back with them were elements of all their encounters, which they put together to create what Bert wryly describes as a "Disneyesque attempt at a tea room." The building that houses Tea & Tomes, itself is steeped in colorful history. Once a live theater, probably during the vaudeville days, in the 20’s it became one of Newport’s first movie houses. Later it served as a restaurant and for nearly three decades it was a clothing store. The Aldridges, who live upstairs in the building, tackled an extensive renovation of the building, salvaging the wood floors, bead board wainscoting and many of the interior doors from the original building. The colorful front door was hand-made in Idaho from old growth fir recycled from a 100-year old railroad trestle. Most of the furnishings were brought over from England, including a Victorian cast iron fireplace imported from the English Lakes District and a traditional cast iron, four-oven English “cooker” that is used for preparing the food. The menu at Tea & Tomes is presented in lovely tea books (which can also be purchased in the gift area) and offers something for everyone. For those wishing to experience the full afternoon “tea,” there is the Classic Tea, served with your choice of a pot of tea for one, sorbet, four dainty finger sandwiches, two savory items, a freshly baked scone (with clotted cream, of course, butter, jam and marmalade), fresh fruit and an assortment of sweets for dessert. The Short Story consists of your choice of a pot of tea for one and starts with a sorbet followed by three fresh baked scones, also including clotted cream, butter, jam and marmalade. For those with a sweet tooth to satisfy, Sweet Poetry features your choice of a pot of tea for one and starts with a sorbet followed by a selection of six dainty sweets. There is even a selection for guests 12 and under. The Fairy Tale Tea offers the youngsters a choice of something from the dress-up area so they can enjoy a “just right” tea with sorbet, a peanut butter sandwich, a sugar cookie, fruit and a beverage of their choice. The mother of five, Tuppence prepares all the food herself. “I just love to cook,” she says, “and I want folks to be able to come in, relax and enjoy a quiet moment.” The menu differs daily, with the exception of the lavender scones and cucumber sandwiches, which are standard. Tea & Tomes is a place of refuge --- whether you’re looking for warmth from the sometimes tempestuous weather of the Oregon coast, or just a quiet moment or two for reflection and friendly conversation.

Visit Tea & Tomes online at www.teaandtomes.com or through their sister company, www.virtualtea.com.